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This painting combines two of Turkey Tolson's most important styles. In the minimalist parallel lines of linked dot work at the top and bottom of the painting we recognize his famous Straightening Spears at Ilyingaungau, painted in 1990 and widely considered his masterpiece. The squares represent stories from the Tingari Cycle, a story cycle based on the travels of the mythical Tingari, a group of supernatural beings that travelled the landscape in the Dreamtime and created the earth. The result of this combination is an exciting painting with a little edge due to the use of bright pink between the traditional ochres.

Turkey Tolson Tjupurrula was born under a tree along a river bed approximately eight kilometers east of Haasts Bluff, Northern Territory. Turkey’s father was Toba Tjakamarra, an Emu man from the area around Lake MacDonald and Walungurru, present day Kintore. After Turkey’s birth, his family continued living in the bush, though they spent most of their time around the Lutheran mission o . . . read more..